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Biomedical subjects

K Tashiro

Publications and source records attributed to K Tashiro.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

[Diagnostic criteria for Parkinson's disease].

Diagnostic criteria for Parkinson's disease is used in all clinical studies concerning this disease. For supplying meaningful data to the evidence-based medicine, the diagnostic criteria must be clearly defined in such studies. In the setting and usage of diagnostic criteria, it is indispensable to clarify the aim and the population for which the criteria is used. Then, as for the contents of the criteria, 1) additional criteria, 2) exclusion criteria, and 3) levels of confidence must be considered. For the future re-evaluation, diagnostic criteria must be logic. Final references are also necessary for judging the accuracy of the criteria.

Confidence Intervals↗

An Asian variant of intravascular large B-cell lymphoma: clinical, pathological and cytogenetic approaches to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma associated with haemophagocytic syndrome.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with haemophagocytic syndrome (BCL-HS) has been reported mainly in Asia and is regarded as a distinct variant of intravascular lymphoma (IVL). However, it is unclear whether all cases of BCL-HS fall within the framework of IVL and available clinical information is limited. We analysed 25 cases with BCL-HS, including 11 autopsied cases (median, 66 years; male-female ratio, 1.1:1). The patients presented with fever, anaemia, thrombocytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, haemophagocytosis, bone marrow invasion, respiratory disturbance and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, but usually lacked lymphadenopathy, mass formation, neurological abnormalities and skin lesions. The clinical course was aggressive with a median survival of 7 months. The morphological findings were uniform: large lymphoid cells infiltrated vessels and/or sinusoids of the liver, marrow, lung, kidney and other organs. They were positive for CD19, CD20, CD79a and HLA-DR, but negative for CD10, CD23 and CD30. CD5 was positive in five out of 17 cases. Our critical review indicates that BCL-HS is the equivalent of the Asian variant of IVL.

Adult↗

[A case of mortor neuron syndrome with onset 9 months after electrical injury].

A 72-year-old man noticed progressive weakness of both upper limbs, more severe on the left side, 9 months after an electric shock of a 20,000 V alternating current. He had diffuse scars of superficial burns with skin graft in four limbs, more on the right side. A neurological examination revealed diffuse muscle atrophy, weakness and fasciculation in both upper limbs, predominantly on the left side, hyper-reflexia in four limbs with mildly exaggerated jaw jerk, left Babinski sign, and mild decrease of touch and pain sensation in the right C6 and C7 segments. Painful dysesthesia was present in the left hand and right lower limb. The search for serum antibodies against GM1, GM2, GM3, GD1a, Gd1b, GQ1b, GA1, and GT1b was negative. No abnormality except mild cervical spondylotic changes was evident in the magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spinal cord. The upper limb motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were not elicited by the left cortical stimulation and the central motor conduction time by the right cortical stimulation was remarkably prolonged in the upper limb MEPs. Nerve conduction study showed a delay of motor conduction velocity and distal latency in the right median and bilateral ulnar nerves with low amplitude and delayed velocity of sensory nerves of those nerves. Needle EMG revealed diffuse ongoing denervation potentials in bilateral upper limbs and giant motor unit potentials in the right triceps and first dorsal interossei muscles. These findings indicate that the delayed motor neuron syndrome induced by electrical shock is characteristic for having demyelination as well as axonal changes in both central and peripheral nervous systems.

Aged↗

[Effective melatonin therapy in a case of Machado-Joseph disease with insomnia].

The effects of melatonin (MLT) therapy on insomnia and serum MLT concentration were studied in a 44-year-old man with Machado-Joseph disease. He suffered from insomia since age 41, and could not sleep well, despite that he was given many kinds of hypnotics. He showed neither noctural central apnea, inspirative stridor, restless leg syndrome, REM without atonia, nor noctural polyuria, all of which are known to cause insomnia in spinocerebellar degeneration. The peak serum level of MLT was low, 9.2 pg/ml. He was administered 9 mg of MLT p.o. at 8 p.m., and it's peak noctural level elevated to 7,000 pg/ml, and this alleviated his intractable insomnia. Our experience indicate that the MLT could be effective for insomnia in MJD which relates to low MLT concentration.

Adult↗

[Papillary renal cell carcinoma complicated with emphysematous pyelonephritis: a case report].

A case of papillary renal cell carcinoma complicated with emphysematous pyelonephritis is reported. A 75-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus was admitted to our hospital with macroscopic hematuria and a child's head-sized firm mass in the left hypochondrium. Computed tomographic (CT) scanning revealed a huge left renal tumor with hydronephrosis. The patient had acute pyelonephritis and antibacterial therapy was initiated. Ten days later, conservative therapy was not effective and CT scan revealed emphysematous necrotic tissue in the tumor. We performed percutaneous drainage. Then dark red liquid and gas were discharged. Her general condition was improving. Left radical nephrectomy was performed. The mass was solid and pathological diagnosis was papillary renal cell carcinoma with necrotic tissue and coated by a thick pseudocapsule. She has remained free of disease for 27 months after operation.

Aged↗

[The advance in the research and therapeutic trials of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis].

The research concerning with the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been in steady progress in the last 10 years, including discovery of SOD mutation in familial ALS. Riluzole, by its inhibiting excitatory amino acid release, is the only drug, which has been demonstrated the neuroprotective activity in the randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials in patients with ALS, although many other clinical therapeutic trials for ALS patients has been carried out. We discussed the clinical trials being the under way, especially SR57746A, (1-[2-(naphth-2-yl)ethy]-4-(3-trifluoromethyl phenyl)-1, 2, 5, 6-tetrahydro-pyridine, hydrochloride), a non-peptide compound which has been shown to exhibit a wide range of neurotrophic effects both in vitro and in vivo, and its phase II study in Japan and two kinds of phase III studies ongoing in the United States, Canada and Europe. We also introduced the clinical guideline for practice and care of ALS patients proposed by American Academy of Neurology, expecting to establish clinical guideline to be applicable to Japanese cases.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗

CTLA-4 gene polymorphism may modulate disease in Japanese multiple sclerosis patients.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is widely believed to have a T-cell-mediated autoimmune etiology. The CTLA-4 gene is a strong candidate for involvement in autoimmune diseases because it plays an important role in the termination of T-cell activation. To examine the genetic association of the CTLA-4 gene locus with MS, we analyzed the CTLA-4 gene exon 1 A/G polymorphism in 74 Japanese MS patients and 93 controls. We also investigated the possible interactions of the CTLA-4 gene polymorphism with clinical course and severity, with MRI findings, with another genetic marker-HLA antigens, and with oligoclonal bands (OCB) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The CTLA-4 exon 1 polymorphism was similar between MS patients and controls. Conversely, clinical disability was significantly more severe in AA homozygous patients than in the other patients, and the allele frequency and the phenotype frequency of the A allele were significantly higher in patients with severe-grade MRI findings of cerebral white matter than in patients with mild-grade MRI findings. The allele frequency and the phenotype frequency of the A allele were significantly higher in patients with OCB than in patients without. This CTLA-4 polymorphism may modulate the prognosis of patients with MS and may be relevant to generation of OCB in the CSF.

Abatacept↗

D-aspartate localization in the rat pituitary gland and retina.

Rat pituitary gland and retina were probed with anti-D-aspartate (D-Asp) antibody previously prepared in this laboratory [Lee et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 231 (1997) 505-508]. D-Asp immunoreactivity (IR) was observed only in the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland of 3-day-old rats, whereas the anterior and posterior lobes were also positive in 3-week and 6-week-old rats, respectively. In the anterior lobe, intense IR was scattered throughout the lobe and the D-Asp-positive cells appeared to be prolactin-containing cells or some other very closely related type of cell. In the retina, D-Asp IR was observed only in the ganglion cell and nerve fiber region of 3-day-old rats. In contrast, during the transient increase in D-Asp levels in 7-day-old rats, D-Asp IR was additionally evident in regions where differentiating bipolar cells had begun to make contact with other types of cells. The functional relevance of D-Asp localization in these tissues is discussed.

Animals↗

DANCE, a novel secreted RGD protein expressed in developing, atherosclerotic, and balloon-injured arteries.

We have identified and characterized mouse, rat, and human cDNAs that encode a novel secreted protein of 448 amino acids named DANCE (developmental arteries and neural crest epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like). DANCE contains six calcium-binding EGF-like domains, one of which includes an RGD motif. Overexpression studies of recombinant DANCE protein document that DANCE is a secreted 66-kDa protein. DANCE and recently described protein S1-5 comprise a new EGF-like protein family. The human DANCE gene was mapped at chromosome 14q32.1. DANCE mRNA is mainly expressed in heart, ovary, and colon in adult human tissues. Expression profile analysis by in situ hybridization revealed prominent DANCE expression in developing arteries. DANCE is also expressed in neural crest cell derivatives, endocardial cushion tissue, and several other mesenchymal tissues. In adult vessels, DANCE expression is largely diminished but is reinduced in balloon-injured vessels and atherosclerotic lesions, notably in intimal vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells that lose their ability to proliferate in late stage of injury. DANCE protein was shown to promote adhesion of endothelial cells through interaction of integrins and the RGD motif of DANCE. DANCE is thus a novel vascular ligand for integrin receptors and may play a role in vascular development and remodeling.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Neurotoxicity of methylglyoxal and 3-deoxyglucosone on cultured cortical neurons: synergism between glycation and oxidative stress, possibly involved in neurodegenerative diseases.

In this study, we investigate the neurotoxicity of glycation, particularly early-stage glycation, and its mechanisms, which are possibly synergized with oxidative stress. Methylglyoxal (MG) and 3-deoxyglucosone (3DG), intermediate products of glycation, are known to further accelerate glycation and advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) formation. Both compounds showed neurotoxicity on cultured cortical neurons and these effects were associated with reactive oxygen species production followed by neuronal apoptosis. Pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine induced neuroprotection against MG and 3DG. Cotreatment, but not pretreatment, with aminoguanidine protected neurons against the neurotoxicities of both compounds. The present study provides the first evidence that MG and 3DG are neurotoxic to cortical neurons in culture. Interference with the process by which glycation and AGEs formation occur may provide new therapeutic opportunities to reduce the pathophysiological changes associated with neurodegeneration, if, as indicated here, the participation of glycoxidation in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases is essential.

Acetylcysteine↗

Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism with multiple sclerosis in Japanese.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), the biologically active form of vitamin D, exerts an immunosuppressive effect and can completely prevent experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). 1,25(OH)2D3 exerts most of its actions only after it has bound to its specific nuclear receptors. To investigate the possible role of vitamin D receptor gene (VDRG) polymorphism in susceptibility to or disease-modulation of MS, we evaluated 77 Japanese patients with 'conventional' MS and 95 controls. A VDRG allelic polymorphism was assessed by Bsm1 endonuclease restriction after specific PCR amplification. Genotypic polymorphism was clearly defined as BB (absence of restriction site on both alleles), bb (presence of restriction site on both alleles), or Bb (heterozygous). We found overexpression of the b allele (92.9 vs. 84.2%: P=0.0138) and homozygote bb (85.7 vs. 71.6%; P=0.0263) in MS patients compared with controls. The results indicate for the first time an association of MS with VDRG polymorphism, which may be involved in pathogenesis of MS, or in the linkage disequilibrium of VDRG to another pathogenic gene loci. The role of VDR gene polymorphism should be further studied in other populations, and the distribution of other polymorphism, such as Apa I, Taq I, should be also analyzed to confirm another susceptibility gene for MS and to obtain more adequate strategies for treatment of MS.

Adolescent↗

Isolation and characterization of CA XIV, a novel membrane-bound carbonic anhydrase from mouse kidney.

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) is involved in various physiological processes such as acid-base balance and transport of carbon dioxide and ions. In this study, we have succeeded in the isolation of a novel CA from the mouse kidney by use of the signal sequence trap method. It is a 337-amino acid polypeptide with a calculated molecular mass of 37.5 kDa, consisting of a putative amino-terminal signal sequence, a CA domain, a transmembrane domain, and a short hydrophilic carboxyl terminus, which we designated CA XIV. The CA domain of CA XIV is highly homologous with those of known CAs, especially extracellular CAs including CA XII, IX, VI, and IV. The expression study of an epitope-tagged protein has suggested that CA XIV is located on the plasma membrane. When expressed in COS-7 cells, CA XIV exhibits CA activity that is predominantly associated with the membrane fraction. By Northern blot analysis, the gene expression of CA XIV is most abundant in the kidney and heart, followed by the skeletal muscle, brain, lung, and liver. In situ hybridization has revealed that, in the kidney, the gene is expressed intensely in the proximal convoluted tubule, which is the major segment for bicarbonate reabsorption and also in the outer border of the inner stripe of the outer medulla. In conclusion, we have cloned a functional cDNA encoding a novel membrane-bound CA. This study will bring new insights into our understanding of carbon dioxide metabolism and acid-base balance.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

An IKLLI-containing peptide derived from the laminin alpha1 chain mediating heparin-binding, cell adhesion, neurite outgrowth and proliferation, represents a binding site for integrin alpha3beta1 and heparan sulphate proteoglycan.

We synthesized and characterized several peptides containing the IKLLI sequence in the alpha1 chain of laminin-1. The IKLLI-containing peptides, such as LA4 (CSRNLSEIKLLISRARK), LA5 (EIKLLIS) and LA5L (SEIKLLIS), were found to mediate heparin binding and cell adhesion, while also promoting neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. Furthermore, peptides LA4 and LA5 also mediated proliferation. However, a scrambled peptide, LA5S (ILEKSLI), did not show any of these activities. Anti-LA4 antibodies inhibited laminin- and LA5-mediated cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth, and anti-(integrin alpha3) and anti-(integrin beta1) antibodies inhibited LA5-mediated cell adhesion and neurite outgrowth. Heparin and heparan sulphate inhibited LA5-mediated heparin binding and PC12 cell adhesion in a dose- dependent manner. The IC50 for inhibition of heparin binding and cell adhesion was observed with 9 microM and 8 microM heparin/heparan sulphate respectively. Furthermore, heparan sulphate proteoglycan also inhibited LA5-mediated PC12 cell adhesion with an IC50 of 100 micrograms/ml. However, chondroitin sulphate (dermatan sulphate) did not inhibit cell adhesion. These data suggest that an IKLLI-containing peptide derived from the laminin alpha1 chain may be an active site of laminin and that its cell adhesion may thus interact with both integrin alpha3beta1 and cell- surface heparan sulphate proteoglycan.

Amino Acid Sequence↗